Located in the picturesque city of Lucerne, the Swiss Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz) is a must-visit destination for families. This vast museum offers an interactive journey through the history and future of transportation, covering rail, road, water, air, and even space travel. We have visited multiple times, and each visit reveals something new and fun. Plan for at least 3-5 hours.
Interactive Exhibits
Engage with life-sized models and simulators, including train driving experiences and helicopter simulators. My son loves the mirror maze, and both kids enjoy watching the marble run. There is also a really fast slide in the Swiss Air exhibit which my kids are in love with.
Diverse Collections
Explore over 3,000 objects, from historic locomotives to modern aircraft and space vehicles. The kids enjoy boarding real airplanes, pretending to drive bobsleds, or imagining themselves as race car drivers. There is a new mini-train exhibit with several trains traveling through a Swiss Alpine scene which is really enjoyable.
Outdoor Activities
Utilize the supervised driving course and free scooters in the outdoor area. My children love the outdoor construction site and could dig rocks for hours. Also they enjoy riding through the museum on a mini locomotive. Anytime we see that the train is available, my kids rush to the station to buy tickets.
Where to Grab Food
Refuel at the self-service restaurant, which offers a kids’ menu. Baby chairs are also available. You have to leave the museum to get to the cafeteria. There are also picnic tables inside if you choose to bring lunch.
How to Get Tickets
Buying tickets in advance is recommended to avoid queues, especially on weekends. Note that the Swiss Coupon Pass offers discounts on museum entry. If you plan on spending the day here, consider buying the day pass, which includes entry to the museum, the planetarium, the Filmtheater and the Swiss Chocolate Adventure. Our family has been to the Swiss Chocolate Adventure, and our full review can be found here.
Where to Park and Final Thoughts
There are several large pay parking lots near the museum. If you are staying in Lucerne, I recommend taking the ferry to the “Verkehrshaus-Lido” port. It’s a 10-15 minute boat ride with beautiful views of the city. The Swiss Transport Museum is an ideal place to spend a rainy day or any day, offering something for everyone in the family. With its engaging exhibits and activities, it’s no wonder it’s the most visited museum in Switzerland.
